85 people contracted COVID-19 infection in Mongolia in past 24 hours.

43 of them are contacts in Ulaanbaatar, and 42 are recorded in the regions. No imported cases were found.

1 patient died from coronavirus in a day, bringing the total number of deaths to 2,134.

The designing of the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline to China via Mongolia should be completed next year, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko told journalists following a meeting of an intergovernmental commission with Mongolia, Interfax reported.

“The completion [of the designing] is scheduled for next year. We are supposed to ensure clearance by the three states,” Abramchenko said.

Gazprom started to assess the possibility for supplying up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year to China via Mongolia in 2020. Design and surveying as part of the Soyuz Vostok trunk pipeline project began in February 2022. The pipeline is to go through Mongolian territory and will be a continuation of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline.

Mongolia is coming to Iowa, USA next month with a World Cup roster that includes six World finalists. The Men’s and Women’s Freestyle World Cup will be held at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, 10-11 December. It is the first time that men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle will be held together side-by-side at the World Cup.

Mongolia, which placed fourth at the 2022 World Championships in women’s freestyle, will be joined in the World Cup by World champion Japan, second place United States, third place China and fifth place Ukraine, in addition to the All World Team.

The Mongolian women’s freestyle team includes 2014 World champion and two-time World finalist Tserenchimed Sukhee, 2022 World silver medalist Otgonjargal Dolgorjav and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya Bat Ochir, while the men’s team is led by 2022 heavyweight World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur. Munkhtur reached the World finals in September by knocking off three-time World champ Geno Petriasvhili of Georgia in the 125-kilogram semifinals.

On the 20-athlete Mongolia women’s wrestling roster, 10 of the athletes boast a medal at an age-group World Championships.

Men’s Freestyle

57 kg — Zanabazar Zandanbud

57 kg — Nasanbuyan Narmandakh

61 kg — Narankhuu Narmandakh

61 kg — Munkh Erdene Altansuvd

65 kg — Tsogbadrakh Tseveensuren

65 kg — Tulga Tumur Ochir

70 kg — Temuulen Enkhtuya

70 kg — Khanburged Gankhuyag

74 kg — Suldkhuu Olonbayar

74 kg — Sumiyabazar Zandanbud

79 kg — Dulguun Altanzul

79 kg — Batzul Damjin

86 kg — Bat Erdene Byambasuren

86 kg — Tsogtgerel Munkhbaatar

92 kg — Gankhuyag Ganbaatar

92 kg — Byambadorj Bat Erdene

97 kg — Orgilokh Dagvadorj

97 kg — Batzul Ulziisaikhan

125 kg — Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur

125 kg — Batmagnai Enkhtuvshin

Women’s Freestyle

50 kg — Otgonjargal Dolgorjav

50 kg — Namuuntsetseg Tsogt Ochir

53 kg — Bolortuya Bat Ochir

53 kg — Khulan Batkhuyag

55 kg — Otgonjargal Ganbaatar

55 kg — Sumiya Erdenchimeg

57 kg — Davaachimeg Erkhembayar

57 kg — Erdenesuvd Bat Erdene

59 kg — Khongorzul Boldsaikhan

59 kg — Bolortuya Khurelkhuu

62 kg — Tserenchimed Sukhee

62 kg — Bolortungalag Zorigt

65 kg — Purevsuren Ulziisaikhan

65 kg — Shoovdor Baatarjav

68 kg — Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan

68 kg — Urtnasan Gan Ochir

72 kg — Davaanasan Enkh Amar

72 kg — Sarnai Bayarbaatar

76 kg — Ariunjargal Ganbat

76 kg — Zagardulam Naigalsuren

The ‘Law of Mongolia on the legal status of Human Rights Defenders’, has been in the making for over two years, with participation from civil society, human rights organisations (including ISHR, Front Line Defenders and Forum Asia), the National Human Rights Institution and UN experts.

The original draft was approved by a committee in the Mongolian State Great Khural in December 2020 and was later sent to a parliamentary working group for review. The resulting version passed and was celebrated as the first law specifically destined for the protection of human rights defenders adopted in Asia.

However, despite major objections from civil society and defenders, some broad provisions that could easily be used to restrict the rights of defenders were included in the version adopted.

Article 8.1.3 prohibits defamation of the ‘honour or reputation of others’. This broad provision could be misused to silence or criminalise defenders, as has occurred with other national laws, by claiming that any act of denunciation breaches this prohibition. This presents a particular risk for defenders working on human rights violations associated with the extractive industry.

Similarly, article 7.2.1 restricts funding from organisations or persons carrying out activities that are deemed ‘terrorist, extremist, or that harm national unity’. These generic terms could be used to impede human rights defenders from obtaining resources.

‘We are incredibly concerned by the restrictive provisions remaining in the law, despite clear calls from national civil society and defenders in the lead up to its passage. Beyond this, the Mongolian Government received calls from the former and current UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders to strengthen the legislation when it was in draft form and ensure its alignment with international human rights law; calls which were echoed – including by national civil society – in Mongolia’s 2021 UPR review. It is deeply regrettable that Mongolia’s achievement in being the first country in the region to pass a law on human rights defenders is tarnished by these articles’, said ISHR’s Tess McEvoy.

Others, including FORUM-ASIA along with some national partners, have also expressed concern for the problematic clauses in this law, indicating that they may render the law ineffective and counterproductive.

Human rights defenders play a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law. That they exercise their work in consistently dangerous conditions is a testament to their courage. ‘A law for the protection of human rights defenders should serve to recognise their important work and ensure their protection, not as another element that puts them in danger. The initial versions of the law developed in consultation with civil society had the potential to achieve the former, but the current version is more in line with the latter’, said Sukhgerel Dugersuren, Executive Director of OT Watch Mongolia.

It is imperative that this law is amended to remove all restrictive provisions, so that it can effectively protect defenders in compliance with international human rights standards.

By production approach, Mongolia`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) totaled MNT 35.2 trillion (over 10.3 billion U.S. dollars) in January- September period, which increased by MNT 5.3 trillion (17.7%) from the same period of the previous year.

GDP at 2015 constant price was MNT 20.3 trillion, which is increased by MNT 730.0 billion (3.7%) compared to the same period of the previous year.

The National Statistics Office reported that GDP at 2015 constant prices decreased by 6.7% in the first nine months of 2020, but increased by 3.7% in the first nine months of 2021 and 2022. In the third quarter of 2022, seasonally adjusted GDP at constant 2015 prices increased by 1.0% compared to the previous quarter.

The increase was mainly attributed to significant growth of the agricultural and mining sectors, Erdene-Ochir Myagmarkhand, a senior expert of the NSO said in a statement. In particular, to a 3.7% increase in GDP at 2015 constant prices in January- September, the agriculture sector contributed 1.6 percentage points, the mining and quarrying sector contributed -2.3 percentage points, the industry and construction sectors contributed 0.3 percentage points, the service sector contributed 2.4 percentage points and net taxes on products contributed 1.7 percentage points.

The value added of the agriculture sector at 2015 constant prices reached MNT 3.4 trillion in the first three quarters of 2022, which is increased by MNT 310.9 billion (10.2%) compared to the same period of the previous year and contributed 1.6 percentage points to GDP growth.

In the same period, the value added of the mining and quarrying sector at 2015 constant prices reached MNT 2.1 trillion, which decreased by MNT 444.9 billion (17.3%) compared to the previous year. This was caused by the decrease in the extraction of coal by 11.9 %, crude oil production by 66.9 %, and metal ores by 12.1%.

The value added of the industrial and construction sector at 2015 constant prices reached MNT 2.3 trillion, which increased by MNT 63.4 billion (2.9%) compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase was mainly due to a 3.7% increase in value added to the construction sector compared to the same period of the previous year.

The value added of the service sector at 2015 constant prices in the first half of 2022 was MNT 9.4 trillion, increased by MNT 474.1 billion (5.3%) compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase was mainly due to an 11.3% increase in the value-added of wholesale and retail trade, and an 8.7% increase in the value-added of the communication and information sector, compared to the same period of the previous year.

In the first nine months of 2022, the shares of final consumption, gross capital formation, and net exports (exports and imports) to GDP were 65.9%, 43.3%, -9.2% (share of export was 61.3%, and the share of import 70.5%, respectively).

Compared to the same period of the previous year, the share of gross capital formation increased by 3.8 percentage points, but the share of final consumption in GDP decreased by -0.2 percentage points, and the share of net exports decreased by -9.2 percentage points.

By expenditure approach, GDP at 2015 constant prices in the first nine months of 2022 was MNT 20.3 trillion and increased by MNT 724.2 billion (3.7 %) compared to the same period last year.

In terms of contributions of components to the 3.7% growth of GDP in the first three-quarters of 2022 final consumption contributed 5.3 percentage points, gross capital formation contributed 9.3 percentage points, and net exports contributed -10.8 percentage points. Within this period, the final consumption at 2015 constant prices was MNT 16.9 trillion and increased by MNT 1.0 trillion (6.5%) compared to the previous year.

The household consumption at 2015 constant prices was MNT 13.6 trillion, which increased by MNT 918.1 (7.2%) billion compared to the same period of the previous year. The contribution of household final consumption to the growth rate of GDP was 4.7 percentage points.

The standard of living for herdsmen is on the rise in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner, in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, thanks to the development of a complete beef cattle industrial chain.

Local herdsman Wu Qishisan has shaken off poverty by benefiting from the banner's cattle industry move.

The Agricultural Bank of Inner Mongolia broke through the local tradition that live cattle cannot be mortgaged, and innovatively carried out live cattle mortgage loans, which suddenly aroused the enthusiasm of farmers and herdsmen.

Wu borrowed a total of 400,000 yuan ($56,180) in loans in the past two years to build new standardized sheds and raise more than 100 Simmental cattle.

Simmental is a beef cattle breed with an improved quality compared with traditional breeds, a Simmental cattle can sell for 7,000 yuan more than a traditional one.

"The breeding benefits are getting better and better! " Wu said.

To date, the Agricultural Bank of Inner Mongolia has issued 2.53 billion yuan of live cattle mortgage loans in the banner, benefiting five leading enterprises and more than 22,000 herdsman households.

While sparking the increase of cattle breeding numbers, local resident enterprise Inner Mongolia Zhongnong Xing'an Breeding Cattle Technology Co provides technical support to ensure the cattle breeding quality.

The company can produce more than 10,000 doses of high-quality frozen semen every day and can guide breeding techniques, allowing herdsmen to raise cattle with twice the result but half the effort.

From September 2020 to the present, the company has distributed 160,000 doses of high-quality frozen semen, free of charge, resulting in 62,000 cows being bred and 37,000 calves being born.

Additionally, to reduce the cost of raising cattle, the banner has invested more than 10 million yuan for the introduction of straw comprehensive utilization technology, that can turn corn straw that would typically cause pollution when burning into "sweet pastry".

At present, this technology has made the comprehensive utilization rate of straw there reach 90 percent.

In a bid to further complete the industry chain, the local government has introduced projects from forage, breeding, fattening to processing, logistics, and catering. With the implementation of industrial development promotions, the number of beef cattle in the banner has increased from 166,000 in 2018 to 407,600 now, and the number of beef cattle farmers and cooperatives rose from 15,000 and 200 in 2018 to 30,000 and 400, respectively.

Driven by the beef cattle industry, the per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen in the banner increased from 9,700 yuan in 2018 to 10,835 yuan in 2021.

Rio Tinto Ltd said on Friday it would plough ahead with a $3.3 billion bid to buy the 49% of Canada’s Turquoise Hill Resources that it does not already own, after it ended separate talks with dissenting minority shareholders.

The Anglo-Australian miner is seeking to simplify its management of the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia that it operates, but shares ownership through Turquoise Hill and the Mongolian government.

Rio needs two-thirds of voting Turquoise Hill shareholders to back its bid, including its own 51% stake, and a simple majority of the rest of the voting shareholders.

It has raised its offer for Turquoise Hill twice to C$43, but that has failed to satisfy Pentwater Capital and SailingStone Capital, two of its biggest minority shareholders, which own stakes of 15.2% and 2.2%, respectively.

Rio had reached an agreement with both that they would abstain from a shareholder vote on the proposal on Nov. 15. Turquoise Hill, investors and the Canadian regulator raised concerns that minority shareholders could be treated differently under the agreement’s conditions.

“This announcement just takes us back to where we were 4-5 weeks ago,” Barrenjoey analyst Glyn Lawcock said, adding that he expected a new shareholder vote before the year ends.

“There isn’t a carve-out for (Pentwater and SailingStone). What that means is that everyone is in the same camp. We don’t know what Pentwater and SailingStone will do, but it will be close.”

Turquoise Hill has twice pushed back the shareholder vote on Rio’s proposal.

Turquoise on Friday acknowledged Rio’s announcement and said it plans to apply to the Supreme Court of Yukon for an amended interim order to set a new date for the special meeting.

Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Officer Bold Baatar said, “We have acknowledged feedback received from minority shareholders and returned to the proposal originally unanimously recommended by the Turquoise Hill Special Committee.”

(By Sameer Manekar; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Rashmi Aich)

Name: Richard Buangan, Title and Term: U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia (2022-Present), Introduce your Birthplace / Hometown

I was born in San Diego. My father was in the Navy, he was assigned there on a tour and met my mother there. San Diego has a number of differences from Ulaanbaatar, particularly the climate. However, there are a lot of similarities between the people; San Diego, like Mongolia, has a generally very friendly population, people are laid back, everyone is always doing something outdoors, there’s a real love of the outdoors. Also, the cities of San Diego and Ulaanbaatar are roughly similar in population size.

Introduce your Parents

As I mentioned, my father was in the U.S. Navy. He grew up in the Philippines but admired the United States, a country he had never visited, and dreamed of joining the Navy. Meanwhile, my mother was an accountant who came to the United States with nothing more than her accounting degree and a small suitcase. I often think of my parent’s story and how its leap of faith personifies what many, including a number of Mongolian immigrants, go through when coming to the United States.

Introduce Your Siblings and Childhood

My childhood was very nomadic. I grew up with my father moving around from place to place in the United States because of his military assignments. While I was born in San Diego, I spent a lot of my childhood in Hawaii and consider that my second childhood home.

I have one sibling, a brother who is only two years younger than me. He actually flew out to Washington, D.C. for my swearing in as Ambassador. We spent a lot of time in the outdoors growing up. In Hawaii, I remember the small Filipino community in Waipahu, we were very tight knit. Neighbors were not shy to treat me like their own child. My family is my bedrock and I would not be where I am today without their love, support, and encouragement.

Ambassador Buangan is putting his hand on the bible, swearing in as the U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia

Hobbies

I have some musical hobbies, like playing the piano and ukulele. However, I’m really passionate about reading and love learning about the culture, language, and history of other countries. I read a lot, especially history books. I’m usually a non-fiction, history reader. Earnest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, they’re probably my favorite authors. I’ll read their books over and over again. Joseph Campbell is another author I love reading, he really examined the structure behind our stories and our heroes. And, of course, I’ve read Jack Weatherford.

In fact, I have two copies of Jack Weatherford’s book, “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” but only recently realized it. When I learned I was nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, I immediately got a copy of the book only to find out I already had a copy that was given to me as a gift when I visited Mongolia in 2012, when I was the Director of Digital Engagement and traveling with the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs.

Sports

As an adult, being outdoors is still really important to me, so I do like to get out and golf. I was not much of an athlete growing up, but I did play little league baseball. It may have contributed to my love of the Padres, and I am a true fan because San Diego may not have a lot of sports teams, but they do have a baseball team. I’m proud of San Diego as my home town, so I root for my sports teams.

Music

I like classical music and I’m a big fan of Elvis. I also really love opera, particularly Mozart, Wagner, and Verdi’s works. One of my first cultural events here in Mongolia was going to the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet and seeing “Tosca.” My favorite opera is “Tristan und Isolde,” which shares a number of themes with Romeo and Juliet.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

My family and friends. As I said, my family is my bedrock and I would not be where I am today without their love, support, and encouragement. Same is true for my friends.

How would you describe the Mongolian people you’ve met so far?

I have been amazed at how friendly, patient, and open the Mongolian people are. I really feel welcome here in Mongolia already.

Professional Life

What does being a diplomat mean to you?

To me, being a diplomat means being able to represent my country in foreign places, to find ways where we can achieve common ground. Successful diplomats learn from other cultures, countries, and societies. We also help America also understand its role in the world.

Ambassador Buangan on the stage

Most memorable/proud moment from your time in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Since Mongolia is in the Bureau of East Asian and Public Affairs, my most memorable moment in the bureau was arriving here. That first day, coming into the airport, I had never felt so much anticipation.

What are your three main goals / priorities as the U.S. Ambassador in Mongolia?

As U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, my priorities are building and enhancing our people-to-people, democratic, and economic ties. My colleagues and I will partner with you to keep Mongolia’s democracy strong and your economy resilient. In the last few decades, Mongolia has been a steady partner committed to human rights and rule of law, while fostering a strong and vibrant civil society and free press. I also look forward to strengthening our defense relationship so Mongolia can continue to play a global role in UN peacekeeping, and humanitarian and disaster relief. Our two countries have a close and enduring relationship; a relationship of friendship and partnership, where we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to safeguard freedom, prosperity, and bright futures for both our countries.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

To learn Mongolian

What is the greatest accomplishment of your life (so far)?

To be the U.S. Ambassador in Mongolia.

How do you hope to be remembered when you leave Mongolia?

I want Mongolians to think of me, and of Americans in general, as a good person and genuine partner and friend.

Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe held talks with his Mongolian counterpart Saikhanbayar Gursed via video link on November 19.

Wei said that China and Mongolia are good neighbors, partners and brothers that can stand the test of anything, under the common guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, the construction of a community with a share future for China and Mongolia has made in-depth and substantial progress.

Wei pointed out that the world has entered a new period of turbulences and changes at present, China and Mongolia should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, support each other in the core interests and major concerns, and push forward the China-Mongolia relationship to a higher level.

He also stressed that the pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries has seen sound development momentum, and the Chinese side hopes that the two militaries can maintain closer strategic communication, expand joint training, deepen border defense cooperation and conduct multilateral interaction, continuously promoting the bilateral military ties and contributing to maintaining common security in the region.

Saikhanbayar said the relations between the two countries and their militaries have presented development momentum at a high level even in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. The Mongolian military thanks the Chinese military for its anti-pandemic support and assistance provided for the Mongolian side, and is willing to work together with the Chinese side to deepen pragmatic cooperation in the areas of personnel training, international peacekeeping, and medical service at military colleges, jointly pushing forward the defense relationship between the two countries.

During the meeting, Wei also briefed Saikhanbayar on related information and important achievements of the 20th CPC National Congress, Saikhanbayar extended his on the successful convening of this event.